Kolache

(I know everyone says “kolaches” but I think it’s really “kolache” in the plural and just “kolach” in the singular? And I am a stickler for grammar, although I say “kolaches” all the time. Do you know the truth? Let me know!)

At any rate, if you’ve never driven down I-35 between Austin and Waco, you might not know about the tiny town of West, an old Czech settlement that is famous for their kolache bakeries. The Czech Stop and adjoining Little Czech Bakery are right off the highway and if you go just a couple blocks east of the highway down Main Street, you’ll come to the Village Bakery. Every Labor Day weekend, West holds West Fest — a prime example of small town Texas fairs. There’s carnival rides and games, many polka bands, costume folk dance teams, Czech history displays, kolache, corndogs, sausage sticks, and of course PIVO!

West was in the news over the summer when a fertilizer plant on the north side of town exploded. Many firefighters and first responders were killed. The plant was near schools and homes, which were severely damaged by the heat and shock of the explosion. During the days immediately following, the Czech Stop and Bakery supplied food and coffee for rescue workers around the clock. The citizens of West came together to shelter their family, friends, and co-workers and nearby towns opened their schools for the children. A town like West is hard to find these days — tiny, tenacious, and gracious. We had a lovely day there at the bakery and in the town. If you’re ever on I-35, be sure to stop in! Get some kolaches or bread, have a beer at the bar, poke around the antique store, give West a little love.I promise it will love you right back.

Great video! My Czech grandma made “kolacky” that were much smaller than the beautiful ones you made. I have her hand-written recipe in front of me (a special keepsake as she died over 20 years ago) and she used a shot glass to cut her crust, making tiny little treats! She pronounced one as kolach (as you did in the video), and two or more as ko-loch-key, adding a ‘k’ sound to the end.

Growing up my favorite were poppyseed, which she made the same as every other kind. My grandma used to make and bring about 400 kolacky to every funeral she went to. At her own funeral, more than one elderly woman lamented, “Who is going to make the kolacky now?”

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Now that I have her recipe out, I think I just might have to make some!

Hi Annie!
Thank you so much for the proper pronunciation! That is wonderful that you have the original copy of your grandma’s recipe. I have a collection of handwritten recipes from my grandma and her mother, and they are such a treasure to look at and to cook from. Really brings back memories.
I love the tiny shot glass-sized kolache idea. I’m definitely going to make some tiny ones next time. They would look so pretty with different, colorful fillings peeking out. I need to find a good poppyseed filling recipe, too. Those are my second-favorite kolache, after apricot.
Thanks for writing and sharing a little of your family history!
-hilah

Thanks for the great video and recipe! My family has be stopping for kolache at the Czech Stop since they opened. My favorite filling is the apple, so I’m wondering how you suggest preparing it? Would you use fresh or dried apple slices?

Hi Sarah!
Happy you are excited about this. I’d try using dried apples: chop and add to a pot with enough water to cover plus sugar, cinnamon, maybe a squeeze of lemon juice. Cook this several minutes until thick then cool and use to fill.

I just started making kolache again and I can’t remember how I got the hole to stay a hole for the filling. I have tried several different ways, but it always seems to fill back in and then the filling spills out. Any tips or tricks? I’m thinking the next time I bake them (which will be this weekend) I will pinch the dough out – removing it completely – to form the hole.

Hi, I’m Hilah!

I create short-form, educational, and occasionally hilarious cooking videos geared towards beginner and intermediate cooks, as well as people who are just looking for simple, low-cost recipes. Everything is made from scratch, people! Read More…